Doug Ford has repeatedly said he believes he needs a new mandate from Ontarians to respond to the potential economic devastation that could be wrought by U.S. President Donald Trump imposing a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods — this despite holding a large majority at Queen’s Park,

CHCH News has learned from sources with direct knowledge of the Ontario government’s plans that Premier Doug Ford will call a snap election next week for Feb. 27.

The confirmation comes after weeks of rampant speculation Ford would head to the polls early, a move he is justifying using the threat of tariffs from the U.S.